Pollutants Prompt Warning On Swimming, Fishing At Lake

June 19, 1997|By LISA J. HURIASH Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE - — The deceptively blue waters of the lake at the Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park, near the banks of the New River, contain unhealthy amounts of fecal coliform bacteria - more than double what is considered acceptable, county officials said on Wednesday.

County officials are discouraging residents from swimming and fishing in the 10-acre lake - it's known for being stocked with bass and catfish - to avoid bacterial contamination.

The cause of the pollution is not known. It could be feces from transients who frequent the park or from pets who play there or ducks or birds, officials say.

High levels of fecal coliform are not unusual in Broward County lakes and canals, especially after rain increases runoff into the water. However, because most waterways are not tested regularly, health officials warn against swimming in them or eating fish caught there. The water at Delevoe Park was tested because of a resident's complaint.

"We have two general recommendations about the waters in Broward County," said Stephen Dennison, an official of the Florida Department of Health. "We do not recommend they swim in any of the canals ... and fish should not be consumed, because of bacterial contamination."

Only four lakes are considered safe for public use: those in Topeekeegee Yugnee Park in Hollywood, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines and Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale, said Howard Rosen, an environmental specialist coordinator at the Florida Department of Health. "Lakes are not there for people to go swimming; they're not chlorinated. They're for aesthetics more than anything," Rosen said.

Fecal coliform bacteria is an indicator of sewage pollution.

Test results showed that the water at Delevoe Park contained 2,000 parts of bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample. Experts say water is unhealthy in excess of 800 parts per 100 milliliters of sample.

"It's not elevated to a point to meet a health-safety alarm," said John Crouse, manager of water engineering and licensing for the county Department of Natural Resource Protection. "We're concerned it's above water quality standards, but it's not extremely unusual."